Illicit cannabis use and use disorders increase in states with medical marijuana laws

An analysis of national survey data indicates that laws legalizing medical marijuana use are associated with increases in illicit cannabis use and cannabis use disorders among adults. The research was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), both part of the National Institutes of Health.

Comparing overall trends in states with medical marijuana laws to states without these laws, the authors examined data from three NIAAA-supported surveys conducted in 1991-1992, 2001-2002, and 2012-2013. In addition, the definition of cannabis use disorder was based upon the DSM-IV definition of cannabis abuse or dependence in the past 12 months. The authors estimate that an additional 1.1 million adult illicit cannabis users and an additional 500,000 adults with a DSM-IV cannabis disorder may be attributable to medical marijuana law passage. However, investigators also note there could be other contributing factors.

These findings underscore the importance of examining how more permissive state marijuana laws can increase the risk of cannabis-related health consequences. An accompanying commentary on the article by NIDA scientists highlights the potential negative effects of cannabis on mental health.

About the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is a component of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIDA supports most of the world’s research on the health aspects of drug use and addiction. The Institute carries out a large variety of programs to inform policy, improve practice, and advance addiction science. Fact sheets on the health effects of drugs and information on NIDA research and other activities can be found at www.drugabuse.gov, which is now compatible with your smartphone, iPad or tablet. To order publications in English or Spanish, call NIDA’s DrugPubs research dissemination center at 1-877-NIDA-NIH or 240-645-0228 (TDD) or email requests to drugpubs@nida.nih.gov. Online ordering is available at drugpubs.drugabuse.gov. NIDA’s media guide can be found at www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/dear-journalist, and its easy-to-read website can be found at www.easyread.drugabuse.gov. You can follow NIDA on Twitter and Facebook.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation’s medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

Get this Publication

Cite this article

NIDA. (2017, April 26). Illicit cannabis use and use disorders increase in states with medical marijuana laws. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2017/04/illicit-cannabis-use-use-disorders-increase-in-states-medical-marijuana-laws

NIDA. "Illicit cannabis use and use disorders increase in states with medical marijuana laws." National Institute on Drug Abuse, 26 Apr. 2017, https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2017/04/illicit-cannabis-use-use-disorders-increase-in-states-medical-marijuana-laws.

NIDA. Illicit cannabis use and use disorders increase in states with medical marijuana laws. National Institute on Drug Abuse website. https://www.drugabuse.gov/news-events/news-releases/2017/04/illicit-cannabis-use-use-disorders-increase-in-states-medical-marijuana-laws. April 26, 2017.